Metal-working or like tool



D636- Zlri, 1948. w. R. DAPPRICH METAL WORKING OR LIKE TOOL Filed June 21, 1946 I I INVENTOR WILLIAM R. DAPPRICH Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UNITED METAL-WORKING on LIKE TOOL William R. Dapprich, Baldwin Township, Allegheny County, Pa.

Application June 21, 1946, Serial No. 678,192 2 Claims. (01. 153-32) This invention relates to a metal Working or like tool and particularly to a tool having working elements adapted to be projected to act on work.

While the invention is not so limitedit is especially adapted for embodiment in a hand tool for working on sheet metal. Specifically my tool has great utility in what is known as automobile fender work, i. e., removing dents from automobile fenders.

My tool embodies a series of elements for acting on work, means for guiding the elements and limiting movement thereof toward the work and means for projecting the elements sequentially toward the work. The elements are ordinarily arranged in a pattern in a two-dimensional field. The means for projecting the elements toward the work preferably comprises cam means. The elements may be mounted in a holder and the means for projecting the elements and the holder which holds the elements are preferably mounted so as to be relatively rotatable. Desirably one or the other of the holder and the projectin means remains stationary while the other is rotated. I prefer to rotate the element holder and maintain the projecting means stationary.

The elements for acting on work may comprise balls mounted in openings in the holder, the openings being slightly smaller than the diameters of the balls so that while the balls may project through the openings they cannot pass entirely therethrough. The projecting means lies behind the balls and is arranged so that as relative rotation occurs between the balls and the projecting means each ball is alternately pressed outwardly of its opening and relieved of outward pressure. I find it unnecessary to provide means to maintain the balls in contact with the projecting means as if a ball is actively participating in the work it will be pressed toward the projecting means by the resilient action of the work and if it is not actively participating in the work it need not be operated by the projecting means.

The carrier for the metal working elements, which is also herein referred to as a rotor, may be rotated by a flexible shaft. The end of theflexible shaft and the rotor may be journaled in a sleeve connected with and essentially forming part of the projecting means, the sleeve carrying a handle whereby the tool is held by the operator.

The projecting means preferably has portions arranged to cooperate successively with elements progressively removed from the axis of rotation. Desirably such portions are arranged circumferentially progressively outwardly from the axis of rotation. Such portions are preferably cams. The cams may be arranged in" one or more series, the cams of each series being arranged circumferentially progressively outwardly from the axis of rotation. v 1

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds. I

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention, in which V p Figure 1 is a sectional perspective View of a metalworking tool;

Figure 2 is an end view of the tool;

Figure 3 is an end view of the cam carrier showing the arrangement of the cams thereon; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cam carrier.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the'tool is preferably operated by a rotating flexible shaft of known construction. This enables the tool to be manipulated freely while in operation. The flexible shaft drives the tool shaft which is designated 2 and which has an enlarged head 3. Under the head 3 is a thrust washer 4. Connected with the head 3 is the holder for the working elements or rotor designated 5. It is a disc having openings therethrough arranged in a pattern in a two-dimensional field, a ball 6 being adapted to be disposed in each opening. Each ball 6 is of slightly greater diameter than its opening so that the balls may project through the openings but may not pass completely therethrough.

The shaft 2 is journaled in a sleeve 1 to which is connected at 8 a handle 9. The handle is adapted to be held by the operator in manipulation of the tool. Integral with the sleeve 1 is the projecting means shown as in the form of a cam carrier Ill. The cam carrier I0 is a disc carrying cams ll, l2 and I3. As will be seen, the cams are arranged in three series, the three cams I I being nearest the axis of rotation, the three cams l2 being farther removed from the axis of rotation and the three cams l3 being still farther removed from the axis of rotation. Circumferentially the cams are arranged in the order ll, l2, l3, ll, I2, l3, ll, l2, I3. Thus the cams of each series are arranged circumferentially progressively outwardly from the axis of rotation. The cams are equally spaced angularly, being 40 apart. The three cams II are apart from one another. Likewise the three cams H are 120 apart from one another and the same applies to the three cams l3.

in Figure 2 are simply to enable easy identifica tion of the respective series of balls, The. three greases series of balls are arranged 120"" apart angularly of the rotor 5. It is because of, the arrangement of the balls that each cam as above described operates balls successively which are progres: sively removed from the axis of rotation.

A thrust bearing 2', the sleeve I and cam carrier l0 integral therewithbeing. confined between-the thrust washer. 4 andthe thrust bearing, l4.

llnroperation the flexible. shaft is. driven by any suitabl source of. power and the tool is held by the operator who grasps the handle 9. The end iaceoi the toolwhere the ballsproject is brought contact with the metal to be. operated on. A form against which the metal is adapted to be shaped may be provided behind the metal so that the tool will shape the metal against the form. Whi Ie I'have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood. t at the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following cla ms.

Jclaim:

A, me al orking o lik o om i in a I4 is provided on the shaft rotor, a flexible shaft connected with the rotor through which the rotor is rotated, a series of balls carried by the rotor adapted to be projected to act on work and a cam member carried by the shaft behind the rotor but relatively to which the shaft and rotor rotate, the cam member having a handle connected therewith by which the tool is held, the cam member engaging the balls to project them upon rotationtoi the rotor.

2. A metal worlring or; like tool comprising a rotor for carrying and limiting projection of elements adapted to be projected to act on work, a flexible shaft connected with the rotor through which the rotor is rotated, a series of elements carried by the rotor adapted to be projected to act; on work and a cam member carried by the shaft behind the rotor but relatively to which the shaft and rotor rotate, the cam member having ahandle, connected therewith by which the tool is held, the cam member engaging said elements to pr e m enr ta en 9 th retp e '.1WI LIAM' a. APPB H,

REFERENKDES- GITE'D The followingreierences are of record, in the f le of this patent;

STATES PATENTS Number Name v t Date.

237,515 Gould Feb. ,8], 1881' 7 164,319 Grill uh/Aug, 2'1,v 19,07 memes -,,Qct.rz,,,1916 lt 5i9 =7 July 12 369227, 1,127,816 a s pt, 10:; 1929' 2,221,949. Troop. Jan. 7 1351i 2,263,595 sinkk nu; Nov; 25, 1941 2,373,871, 

